Determination of 234U/238U, 235U/238U and 236U/238U isotope ratios in urine using sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Quantification of the isotopic composition of uranium in urine at low levels of concentration is important for assessing both military and civilian populations' exposures to uranium. However, until now there has been no convenient, precise method established for rapid determination of multiple uranium isotope ratios. Here, the authors report a new method to measure (234)U/(238)U, (235)U/(238)U and (236)U/(238)U. It uses solid-phase chelation extraction (via TRU columns) of actinides from the urine matrix, followed by measurement using a magnetic sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (SF-ICP-MS-Thermo Element XR) equipped with a high-efficiency nebulizer (Apex PFA microflow) and coupled with a membrane desolvating nebulizer system (Aridus II™). This method provides rapid and reliable results and has been used successfully to analyse Certified Reference Materials.